Press



Dec. 12, 1933. P. J. LOCHER 1,939,014

PRESS Filed Sept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jwumlw as, louxwwmm.

P. J. LOCHER Dec. 12, 1933.

PRESS File'd Sept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuemtoz /24 3901.41 Lac/15A duo mug Dec. 12, 1933.

P. J. LocHE 1,939,014

PRES S Filed Sept. 9, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwumtoc F3904 d lac/15R.

Patented Dec. 12, 1933 PRESS Paul J. Locker, York, Pa., assignor to A. B. Farquhar 00., Limited, York, Pa., a limited partnership of Pennsylvania Application September 9, 1929. Serial No. 391,215

8 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing and drying devices and has particular relation to those drying devices adapted for use in drying flat objects, as veneer.

In the manufacture of relatively thin or flat articles where wood, woody fibers or plastic substances are used, as for example in the manufacture of veneer and veneered boards, it is necessary to dry the product and at'the same time to keep the product flat.

In the making of veneer, after the thin sheets i are cut and dried and before they are applied to tion on the veneer at the same time the heat is applied thereto.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved device for alternately exerting a heavy pressure and then releasing the pressure entirely and permitting a circulation of air to contact with the article being pressed ordried, thus permitting the escape of the steam and vapors formed from the moisture in the wood.

Another object of this invention is the pro vision of a drier-press composed of several separable plates between each adjacent two of which may be placed veneers or sheets of other material and alternately pressed and vented; to alternately cause the material to be pressed and then permit the air to enter adjacent the material and remove the vapor released to cause a dry- 1 ing action at the surface of the material, the moist air being driven out from between the plates as the plates approach each other after being separated.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a press comprising several plates and controlling the movement of the plates to maintain them at substantially the same distance apart throughout the the operation.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a drier-press having several plates, means controlling the movement of the plates toward and from each other and maintain them at substantially the same distance apart throughout the operation and to limit the distance apart they may move during drying operation, but permit of a greater distance for inserting the material to be pressed and dried.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention,

Figure l is an end elevation of my invention with the press at a low position- Figure 2 is a detail section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

. 7 Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevation with the press in operative position.

Figure 6 is an end view of the valve control so mechanism.

Figure 7 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic showing of the workings of the valves shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figures 9 and 10 show details of the strips for limiting the movement of the plates toward each other.

By the use of my invention, the movement of the plates is such that the distance between adjacent plates is always substantially proportional to the distance between am; other two adjacent plates. In the particular embodiment illustrated, I have shown a spacing means for controlling the movement of the plates, wherein the distance between the plates is always substantially the same, the only variation from this being a detail of construction in the connection between the plates and their spacing means whereby the spacing means is relieved of control of the plates just as the heavy pressure may be applied to all of the plates. This insures a uniformity in construction.

The particular construction illustrated, being intended for use in the manufacture of thin veneers, the pressure between the plates necessarily is substantiallyfi same and since in certain drying and re operations, best results are obtained by having equal spaces between the plates when the same are apart, the operating means are so constructed to bring about these results.

In the drawings, 20 designates two pairs of I- beams forming the main support for the press. In order to space the beams and hold them in proper relation, I provide bolts 22 which pass through all of the I-beams and which are provided with spacingnuts 23. Adjacent the midlength of the I-beams and between the two pairs, is a cylinder block24 in which is a cylinder which coacts with a plunger 25 to move the plunger table 26 to operate the press plates in a manner to be described.

Adjacent the outer ends of each pair of I-beams 20 are tension rods 27. These rods 27 are secured in place by large nuts 28 which are threaded on the rods 27 at their lower ends. Adjacent the upper faces of the I-beams 20 and on each rod 27 is a collar 29 which collars act as limiting means against the nuts 28 and with the rods 22 and the spacing nuts 23, forms a rigid structure. It will be'understood that the flanges of the I- beams are cut away to form openings to fit the rods 27.

At the upper ends of the rods 27, two I-beams 30 are provided for each side of the press and have cut-away flanges to receive the body of the rods 27. On the rods 27 below the I-beams 30 are located collars 31 similar in construction and function to the collars 29 already described. The nuts 32 are provided on the ends of the rods 27 to coact with the collars 31 in a manner described for the nuts 28 and collars 29 at the bottoms of the rods.

To act as spacers for the I-beams 30 and to support the press plates to be described, I have provided the channels 33 which are supported at their ends from the inner I-beams 30, by the angle brackets 34.

There are two channel bars 33 shown at each end of the I-bearns 30, these two channel bars 33 being secured together at their upper flanges and adjacent the middle by the cross plate 35.

These cross plates 35 have holes therethrough which are hung suspending bolts 36. The bolts adjacent their centers through 36 have their their.

heads resting on the plates 35 and lower threaded ends extending through supporting lugs 37 which are attached to the upper plate 38, at opposite ends thereof and support the plate as will be later described. The nut on the lower end of the bolt 36 may be adjusted to always keep the upper press plate 38 against or substantially against the I-beams 30.

At opposite ends of the upper plate 38 and in spaced relation are two brackets 39 which are bolted to the edge of the plate 38 by means of stud bolts. Threaded into these members 39 are bearing bolts 40 upon which are pivotally supported bushings 41. Upon these bushings 41 are pivoted links 42 and 43. It will be noted that the links 42 are doubled the thickness of the links 43. In this way, the same amount of bearing surface is provided in the combined surfaces of the links 43 as is provided by the bearing surface of the links 42.

These links are held in position on the bushing 41 by means of the nut 44 and its washer 45, the nut 44 being suitable}, threadedrto the end of the bearing bolt 40.

Below the upper plate 38 are intermediate plates 46 and the lower plate 47. Supported immediately below the brackets 39 on each of the plates 46 and 47 are brackets 39, similar in construction to the bracket 39 already described.

The brackets 39 which are attached to the lower plate 47 are each provided with a bolt 40, a bushing 41, a link 42, links 43 and a nut and washer 44 and 45, respectively. All of this construction is preferably a duplicate of the link construction described as being attached to the upper plate 38.

To each of the brackets 39 on the plates 46, is attached a bolt 48 in a position similar to positions occupied by the bolts 40. The bolt 48, however, is preferably made smaller for a purpose to be described.

A bushing 49 surrounds each bolt 48 and has a larger opening than is necessary to receive the bolt 48. This large opening is shown at 50 and isprovided to admit of a bodily movement of the bolt 48 relatively to the bushing 49.

Cross levers 51 and 52 are provided on each bushing 49. Here again as in the case of the links, it will be noted that the cross lever 51 is twice as thick as either one of the cross levers 52. It will be understood, however, that the two thin cross levers 52 operate as a single lever, but are constructed as two in order to have a balance of forces throughout the axial length of the bushings. The upper ends of the cross levers 52 pass on opposite sides of the respective lower ends of the links 42 and are secured in place by bolts 53. These bolts 53 carry bushings 54 which have their bearing surfaces axially in contact with the coacting surfaces of the links 42. In the same way the upper end of the cross lever 51 is connected to the two upper ends of the links 43 by a bolt 53 and a bushing 54. Nuts 54 and washers 54 are provided to hold the bushings within the links and cross levers.

The lower ends of the cross levers of the upper plate 46 and the upper ends of the cross levers of the adjacent and next lower plate 46 are connected together by means of bolts 53 and bushings 54 as already described. Similar connections occur at the connection between the links 42 and 43 and the cross levers 51 and 52 of the intermediate plates 46.

The upwardly extending links 42 and 43 of the lower plate 47 are connected to the lower ends of the cross levers 51 and 52 of the lowest intermediate plate 46 in a manner already described for similarly designated members, connected upper links 42, 43 and cross levers 51, 52 pivoted on the adjacent plates 46.

The under intermediate plates 46 have their cross members connected in a manner similar to that described for the connection of the cross levers of the two upper intermediate plates 46.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that as the lower plate 47 is moved in an upwardly direction, each of the plates 46 will approach its next adjacent plate a distance equal to the distance moved by the plate 47 toward its adjacent plate 46. This is due to the lazy-tong or parallel motion mechanism which has been described and which comprises the links 42 and 43, the cross levers 51 and 52 and their coacting parts.

In the manufacture of veneer, the slabs of laminated wood are'placed between adjacent plates. These slabs are substantially of the same thickness. However, the manufacturer has found that slight variations will occur due to variations in the setting of saws and planers and similar causes. If provision is not made for the slight variations for the thickness of these slabs, it will be clear that great strains will be thrown upon the cross levers 51 and 52 and the links 42 and 43 already described. In order to take care of these slight variations, the space 50 which has already been described has been provided.

It will be noted from this construction that the cross levers 51 and 52 and the links 42 and 43 coact together and .with each other to support the plates 38, 46 and 47 in spaced relation when the pressure is not being applied and that as soon as the pressure is applied and the plates are moved to a point where the slabs of veneer are being pressed, the pressure will be entirely removed from these links and cross members and the pressure will be entirely borne by the plates and slabs them selves.

In this last condition, the cross links and levers simply float and bear their own weight. Soon, however, as the pressure is released to an extent where the plates begin to separate, the weight of the plates is again carried by the links and cross members.

Above the press table 26 and secured thereto, are four I-beams 55. These I-beams extend across the table 26 and are so spaced as to be in position to distribute the force of the plunger rod 25 throughout the area of the bottom of the lower press plate 47. The outer I-beams are provided with guides 56 which are suitably bolted to the I-beams and are constructed in halves for assembly purposes. 7

Each bracket 39 may, if desired, be provided with a cylindrical opening to slidably receive the rods 27. With the brackets 39 attached to the plates 38, 46 and 47 and surrounding the rods 27, and the guides 56, all moving parts of the press are kept in proper alignment. In certain classes of work, however, the spacing devices or guides 56 are sumcient to provide the guiding means.

During the insertion of the veneer sheets or other materials to be pressed, the plunger is drawn down to its low limit and the lower plate 47 comes to its lowermost position. This opens the spaces between the plates to a maximum. When, however, a pressing and drying operation is being carried on and it is desired to have the material under pressure and released and vented, alternately, it is not necessary to open the spaces between the plates to a maximum. It is only necessary to have the spaces separate suiliciently to permit the air to circulate.

To serve as a stop for arresting the plates in their downward movement, I have provided two swinging arms, one at each end of the press. These swinging arms, I have designated 57. The arms 57 are secured to the shafts 58 which are Joumalled in brackets 59. Lever arms 60 are secured to the shafts 58 and have pivoted at their upper ends, the links 61. One link 61 is pivoted at the upper end of a lever 62 and the other link 61 is pivoted at the lower end of the lever 62. This lever 62 is pivoted midway of its length to the cylinder block 24 at 63.

The swinging arms 57 are provided with handles 64 which are used by the operator in operating the arms 57 to move the same to and from operative position. The arms 57 are also provided with pads 57 against which the bottom of the lower plate 47 will rest as it is lowered, when the arms 57 are in operative position.

It will be noted that because of the action of the lever 62, the direction of movement between one lever 57 and the other lever 57, is reversed. This causes both arms 57 to be moved simultaneously when either handle 64 is operated. It is to be noted that the limits of the movements of the arms 57 when in operative position, are controlled by the set screw stops 57 which extend through the lower ends of the arms 57 and impinge on the blocks 57 mounted on a spacing rod 22'. In addition to the extension 57 in which the stop 57 is mounted, there is another extension 57 extending from the swinging arm 57. This extension 57 is on the opposite side of the spacing rod 22 on which the block 57 is mounted.

This extension 57 serves as a stop for the outward swinging movement of the arm 57 when the latter is in inoperative position.

The plates 38, 46 and 47 are identical in construction and in operation except that the upper side of the upper plate 38 and the lower side of the lower plate 47 do not act as pressing or heat- .ing surfaces for the material to be pressed or dried or both.

In order to heat the pressing surfaces of the plates 38, 46 and 47, I have provided the interior of these plates with steam surfaces and connections, whereby the steam may be circulated through the plates.

The heat from the steam is conducted by the metal walls of the plates to the surfaces and from there to the material when the pressing 46 which is next to the plate 38. This course of the steam is repeated through similar connections until the outlet 75 of the lower plate 47 is reached. The steam is then exhausted to a condenser or to any other suitable place. i

In order to provide hydraulic power for the plunger 25, I provide a hydraulic connection 76 to the cylinder block 24, which connection has a pipe 77 which leads to a control device to be described.

In order to control the operation of the press, I have provided a mechanism which may be controlled by the hand of the operator or, if desired, may be controlled automatically, thus making constant attention unnecessary. The device consists broadly in a valve mechanism which connects the pressure supply to the press plunger when the valves are set to operate the press and to connect the press plunger with a release connection when the plates are to be separated or the pressure on the plunger lowered.

In the embodiment illustrated, a base is provided for the support of the control device. Upon this base 100 is located a bracket 101 having an upper bearing 102 to receive a timer shaft 103. On one end of the gear shaft is a worm gear 104 which cooperates with a worm 105. This worm 105 is suitably mounted on a shaft 106, which shaft is operated by a motor 107. While an electric motor is indicated, if desired, the shaft 106 may be connected to any rotating part of a machine. At the end of the shaft 103, opposite the gear 104 is located a crank 108. This crank 108 carries a pin 109 upon which is mounted a roller 110 for a purpose to be later described. A housing 111 is also secured to the base 100 and is provided with a bearing for a shaft 112. The opposite end of the shaft 112 is supported in the lower end of the bracket 101.

A sliding lever 113 is mounted on the shaft 113.

and is adapted to be moved along the shaft 112. A spring detent 114 is provided for selective engagement with grooves 115 and 116. The lever 113 is provided with a slot 117, this slot being sufliciently wide to receive the roller 110 and permit of its free movement along the slot. A handle 118 is provided for the hand operation of the lever 113. When the lever 113 is in such a position that the detent 114 engages the groove 115, then the lever is set for hand movement as the slot 117 has no coaction with the roller 110. When, however, the sliding lever 113 is moved so that the spring pressed detent 114 engages the. groove 116, then with the roller 110 in registry with the slot 117, the rotation of the crank 108 will cause an oscillatory movement of the lever to automatically operate the valves as will be later explained.

Surrounding the end of the shaft 112 which is mounted in the housing 111 is a sleeve 119 this sleeve being journalled in the housing 111, At one end of the sleeve 119 are located two angular arms 120. These angular arms 120 have extensions 120" which cut the plane of movement of the lever 113 regardless of its position. On the end of the sleeve 119 is a lever arm 121 to which is connected at its outer end a spring 122. The opposite end of this spring is connected to the housing at 123. This spring 122 is a tension spring and has a tendency at all times to keep the lever 121 either in its upper or lower position.

I have illustrated this lever in its lower position and indicated its upper position by dotted lines. Within the housing and on the sleeve 119 I have located lifting arms 124 and 125. At one side of the housing 111 is a pipe 126 which leads from the source of pressure supply and at the other side of the housing 111 is a pipe 77 which leads to the interior of the cylinder block 24 in which operates the plunger 25 of the press. Between the two pipes 126 and 77 are two passages 128 and 129. The two passages 128 and 129 are separated by a balanced valve 130, which when the two valve members of the valve 130 and also adjacent the pipe 77 to the inside portion of a release valve 136. The outside of the valve 136 is exposed to whatever pressure is in the passage 137. As this latter passage is connected to an exhaust in the open air, it will be clear thatwhenever the valve 136 is open, the pressure with,- in the passage 129 and below the press plunger will be immediately reduced to atmospheric.

Suitable packing glands 138, 139, 140, 141 are provided for preventing the passages 129 and 137 from leaking pressure.

The valve 136 has a stem 142 and this stem is provided with a collar 143. A spring 144 is held between the collar 143 and the plate 133 and through the collar 143 exerts a downward tendency on the valve stem 142. This holds the valve 136 normally closed.

Adjacent the lower ends of the valve stems 135 and 142 are located the lifting arms 124, 125 already described. These are in position to alternately lift the valve stems 135 and 142, respectively.

I will now describe the operation of the automatic pressure controlling means. It is assumed that the shaft 106 is being turned by the motor 107 or some other motive means and at the proper speed to produce the desired frequency of operation of the cycles of operation of the press mechanism.

The handle 118 in the hand of' an operator is moved to a position where the roller 110 enters the guide slot 117. At the first part of the movement the detent 114 leaves the groove 115 and rides along the surface of the shaft 112. When the slide lever 113 reaches the proper position, the detent 114 will snap into the groove 116. The handle 118 of the slide lever 113 may now be released.

As the crank 108 turns the roller 110, the lever 113 will be swung backwardly and forwardly about its center of rotation at the axis of the shaft 112. In a movement in either direction, the lever 113 will engage one of the extensions of an angular arm 120. The angular arms 120 are connected to the sleeve 119 which in turn is connected to the lever arm 121. As the movement of the arm 120 causes the movement of the lever arm 121 to be passed by the center line of the spring 122, the movement will be continued by the action of the spring 122 until the other arm 120 through its extension 120, rests against the lever 113. As the rotation of the crank arm 108 continues another 130, the reverse action of the sleeve 119 takes place under the action of the other arm 120, its extension 120 and with the movement of the lever arm 121 from the opposite direction.

As these movements of the sleeve 119 take place, the lifting arms 124 and 125 alternately engage the lower ends of the valve stems 135 and 142, respectively. As the lifting arm 124 lifts the valve stem 135, the valve opens, permitting the pressure of the source of pressure supply to enter through the pipe 126, the passage 128 past the valve 130, into the passage 129 and from thence to the pipe 77 and to the pressed plunger cylinder. This pressure operates the cylinder in a well known manner. verses its movement, the valve stem 142 is lifted by the lifting arm 125 and the valve 136 opens, the valve 130 having previously been closed at the start of the reverse movement when the lifting arm 124 began its downward movement.

As the valve 136 opens the fluid within the passage 129 and the pipe 77 of the plunger chamber, is released through the passage 137 and the pressure in all of these passages falls to atmospheric pressure.

When it is desired to operate the device by hand control, the handle 118 of the sliding lever 113 is grasped by the operator and is moved to the position shown on the drawings with the detent 114 in coactive relation to the groove 115.

'It will then be seen that the lever 113 may be moved by hand and at will to cause the angle arms 120 to move the lifting arms 124 and 125 to control the pressure within the plunger cylinder as has already been described.

I will now describe the operation of the press. When the pressure from the tube 77 enters the cylinder in the block 24, the plunger 25 is pressed upwardly. The platform 26 raises the I-beams with the lower plate. The slabs of material, as veneer, being in place between the plates, as the lower plate 47 is raised, the links 42, 43 and the cross levers 51, 52 come into action. Due to the proportions of the lengths between pivots, the movement of the several plates will be controlled As the sleeve 119 reso' that in the construction as shown, each of the plates will be brought closer to its neighbor an equal distance as the plunger moves outwardly. The movement continues until the material comes into contact with both adjacent plates. The plates may now take a limited movement, because of the spaces 50 in the bushings 49 (see Figure 3) As the action of the plunger progresses, the plates are pressed closer together.

If a straight pressing operation is to be carried on, the heat may or may not be turned on. If the plates are heated, the steam circulating through the plates, heats the walls of the plates and has a drying action on the material. The openings in the brackets 39 surrounding the rods 27 act to guide the plates to coact with the lazy-tong construction of the links 42, 43 and cross levers 51, 52 to control the movement of the plates.

When the desired pressure is reached, the hand lever is moved to its opposite position and the pressure in the plunger will fall causing the plunger to release its pressure and fall.

If it is desired to operate-the press automatically to perform a drying function with repeated pressings, the sliding lever 113 is moved to the right as shown in Figure 7 until the roller 110 registers with the slot 117 and the detent 114 registers with the groove 116. With the motor which extend from fiat bars 146.

107 in operation, the pressure will be alternately put on and off as the crank 108 revolves. During this operation, the swinging arms 57 should be in operation to limit the downward movement of the plates 46 and 47.

In order to control the maximum pressure to go to the plunger 25, a valve 126" of suitable construction may be provided to control the amount of pressure which would be built up on the pressure chamber below the plunger 25 during the time which the control device permitted the pressure to be applied. Any other suitable means for controlling the pressure could be applied.

In certain instances, it may be desirable to absolutely limit the movement of the plates toward each other. In order to bring about this result, I provide adjacent the edges of the upper sides of each of the plates 46. 4''! at their long sides, openings to receive small dowel pins 145 (See Figure 9.) These bars 146 are 01' such a thickness that the plates 38, 46, 47 will press the product, but may not press it more than the amount desired by the operator. In the pressing operation, these limiting strips may cause different and varying results depending upon the kind, shape, and amount of material used and also on the way it is used. among these results may be stated varying thicknesses of the product, the amount 0! pressure to be applied to the product and in some instances the rate of evaporation of moisture from the product.

While there is described and illustrated in detail an embodiment 01' my invention, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit the invention to the details disclosed and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:--

1. A press and drier comprising a series of substantially horizontal press plates and means for simultaneously and alternately moving, in a vertical direction, all 01 the plates of the series to positions closer together and then farther apart and for maintaining the plates at substantially the same distance from adjacent plates during the operation and including varying means for permitting two adjacent plates to have a slight variation in distance apart relative to the distance between another pair of plates toallow for a variation in thickness of the materials being pressed.

2. A press and drier comprising press plates, spacing means for supporting the plates in substantially equally spaced relation relatively to adjacent pairs of plates during movement toward and from each other and power means for op-- erating the spacing means to bring about the movement and to press the plates and the material to be pressed at one limit of movement, said spacing means being constructed to release control of the movement of the plates as the power means approaches its limit of movement to press the plates and material therebetween 3. A press and drier comprising press plates, spacing means for supporting the plates in substantially equally spaced relation relatively to adjacent pair of plates during movement toward and from each other and a power means for operating the spacing means to bring about the movement and to press the plates and the material to be pressed at one limit of movement, said spacing means being connected to the plates with a connection permitting of a slight relative movement between the spacing means and the plate, whereby control of the movement of the plates is released adjacent the end of the pressing movement, thereby allowing of a uniform pressure on all plates even though the material between diiierent pairs of plates may vary in thickness.

4. A press and drier comprising press plates, spacing means for supporting the plates in substantially equally spaced relation relatively to adjacent plates during movement toward and from each other and power means for operating the spacing means to bring about the movement and to press the plates and the material to be pressed at one limit of movement, said spacing means being connected to the plates with a loose bushing, thereby permitting of a slight relative movement between the spacing means and the plate, whereby control of the movement of the plates is released adjacent the end of the pressing movement, thereby allowing 0! a uniform pressure on all plates even though the material between different pairs of plates may vary thickness.

5.'A press and drier comprising press plates, spacing means for supporting adJacent pairs 01 plates substantially proportionate distances apart, said spacing means including lazy-tong devices and operable to maintain the spaced relation between the plates as the same are moved from and toward each other, a loose bushing connection between the spacing means and the plates and means for moving the plates toward and from each other.

6. A press and drier comprising press plates, spacing means for supporting adjacent plates, said spacing means including a pair of links pivoted at a common point on each of the upper and lower plates, crossed levers pivoted intermediate their ends at a common point on each of the plates intermediate the upper and lower plates, the crossed levers being connected at their ends to the ends oi levers or links pivoted on adjacent plates, means for moving all of the plates alternately toward and from adjacent plates and a lever means operable at will to limit the movement of the plates to and from a limit of opening less than the maximum limit;

7. A press and drier comprising a series of substantially rigid horizontal heating plate units superimposed, one over the other, power means for moving the plate units and means connecting the power means and plate units to move the plates in directions perpendicular to the plane of the plates and to cause at each side or the respective plate units spaces which simultaneously grow less when the power means is applied in one direction and simultaneously grow greater when the power means is moved in the opposite direction.

PAUL J. LOCKER. 

